- Mavericks GM Nico Harrison is in the house and receiving a warm reception.
Lakers fans just chanted “Thank you, Nico!” while Luka Doncic shot free throws.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) February 26, 2025
- The Mavericks have 39 points in 40 possessions and the guy they weren’t sure they could build around is throwing And1 Mixtape Tour passes for ecstasy-inducing 3s. Outside of that, though, things are going pretty well for Dallas.
- Jason Kidd called Luka a Picasso in the pregame. And Luka just painted a overhead masterpiece of a pass to Reaves for a three
- Luka Doncic just posted one of the sickest assists of the season. He drove and whipped the ball behind his head for a no-look pass to Austin Reaves, who sinks a 3. He’s up to six assists, plus 10 points and nine rebounds.
- Strong start to the second quarter for Austin Reaves, with a 3, a driving layup and a couple of free throws as well as a couple of nice passes to set Dalton Knecht up for 3 and a dunk to help keep the Lakers in front. If Reaves is supposed to see his role shrink now that Luka’s around, he’s got a funny way of showing it; he’s averaging 20 points and 6.2 assists per game since Luka’s debut.
Dallas needs some offense from Washington, who has 5 rebounds but is scoreless so far and has attempted only one shot.
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) February 26, 2025
- Here’s a stat: the Mavericks are 3-for-18 on shots outside the paint. It’s not like they haven’t got decent looks, they’ve just been ice cold.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was introduced to the crowd after the last timeout. Like, we know he was great but somehow he’s become historically underrated over time.
- Naji Marshall just gave LeBron James a “too small,” which is the kind of thing that might surprise you until you realize that Naji Marshall’s nickname is Knife.
- That Dallas is down only eight after that first-quarter offensive performance is something of a miracle. Keeping them alive: second chances (seven offensive rebounds) and Laker miscues (six L.A. turnovers, three by LeBron, leading to five Dallas points).
- The non-Kyrie Irving Mavericks are 2-for-18 from the field. Almost like they’re missing a guy who elevates everyone on offense.
- Dallas is offensively inept right now. You knew it would be trouble with no AD, but Kyrie is struggling and open shots look laborious. 26 percent shooting in the first quarter.
- It’s 28-20 Lakers after the first quarter and has been about what we were expecting. Luka Doncic is doing everything he can to make the Mavericks miserable, though he missed the last few minutes of the frame.
- The Mavericks have 20 points. Luka has already scored or assisted on 20 points. Balance, in all things.
